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Mexican Nationals Arrested for Selling Fraudulent Immigration Documents out of Albuquerque Business

ALBUQUERQUE – Carlos Chico-Salcedo, 40, and his wife Juana Marin-Sandoval, 45, both Mexican nationals illegally in the United States, were arrested yesterday by agents of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) on criminal complaints charging them with selling fraudulent immigration documents.

Chico-Salcedo and Marin-Sandoval made their initial appearances in federal court this morning and remain in custody pending preliminary and detention hearings scheduled for tomorrow morning.

According to the criminal complaints, in March 2013, Chico-Salcedo and Marin-Sandoval allegedly sold fraudulent documents to HSI agents who were acting in an undercover capacity. The defendants allegedly sold a fraudulent Social Security Card and a fraudulent Permanent Resident Alien Card to the agents for $150.00. The transaction allegedly occurred inside Albuquerque Soccer City, a business located in southwest Albuquerque owned by Chico-Salcedo and at which Marin-Sandoval was employed.

If they are convicted of the charges in the criminal complaints, Chico-Salcedo and Marin-Sandoval each face a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and deportation after completing their prison sentences. Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations. All criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by HSI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman Cairns.